Hiking – Joseph Vessecchia

Dealing with Broken Bones While Hiking

A financial professional based in New York City, Joseph Vessecchia earned his MBA from the University of Rochester. Beyond his work in finance, Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia enjoys several outdoor activities, such as playing baseball and hiking.

Hikers are encouraged to pack various safety and medical supplies, particularly if they plan a long day hike or multi-day trip. However, some accidents on the hiking trail are more severe than others. For instance, hikers may wonder what exactly they can pack in a First Aid kit to help deal with a broken bone on the trail.

Most trail injuries involve sprained ankles, but fractured and broken bones are hardly unheard of. In addition, the ankles, wrists, and ribs can be vulnerable during falls and other hiking mishaps.

Individuals who lack the proper medical training should never attempt to reset a broken bone, as the risk of further damage is too high. With this in mind, hikers should spend the immediate seconds and minutes following an accident investigating the injury and, above all else, maintaining calm heads about the situation. Hiking groups should remember that the best course of action should be decided by the rest of the party, not the person dealing with the pain and discomfort of a broken bone.

In addition to not resetting a broken bone, individuals must determine whether they can even engage with an injured hiker. For example, if a person has fallen into a barrier of mud and loose rocks, any approach risks further injury to the downed hiker and whoever is attempting to help.

The injury should be tended to as best as possible after removing any items that might hinder circulation, such as jewelry. Hikers should also provide pain management, such as ibuprofen, if possible. If the wounded hiker can place weight on the injured limb, the group should begin the return journey at once. If the person cannot move, hikers will need to use communications devices to reach out for emergency support.

The Old Rifle Range Trail in Lucien Morin Park

A seasoned sales executive, Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is pursuing an MBA at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Joseph Vessecchia counts hiking as one of his favorite hobbies.

According to the independent hiking resource All Trials, the top hike within Rochester city limits is the Old Rifle Range Trail in Lucien Morin Park. A roundtrip loop that stretches 3.1 miles, this moderately difficult trail takes roughly an hour-and-a-half for the average hiker to complete.

Positioned at the north side of Ellison Park and the southernmost point of Irondequoit Bay, Lucien Morin Park is a wetland nature area that is popular among paddlers and hikers alike. It is also a renowned birdwatching destination.

The Old Rifle Range Trail offers ample places to spot birds and other forms of wildlife. It also provides scenic views of Irondequoit Creek, which terminates in Irondequoit Bay. The Old Rifle Range Trail takes hikers through several natural environments from lakeside to wetland.

Tennis and Hiking Surge in Popularity During COVID-19 Pandemic

Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is a former Quick Base account executive pursuing an MBA in finance at the University of Rochester. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan. In his free time, Joseph Vessecchia enjoys hiking and playing tennis.

Tennis and hiking are two outdoor activities that experienced a surge in participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions. According to the Tennis Industry Association’s Quarterly USA Wholesale Equipment Census, entry-level racket sales increased 40.9 percent during the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same time in 2019.

The United States Tennis Association also reported more than 10 percent of all Americans played tennis during this period, which represented nearly a 50 percent relative increase from Q3 2019. Almost 3 million of these participants were first-time players.

Similarly, more than 8 million Americans went hiking last year compared to 2019, according to the Outdoor Foundation’s most recent outdoor participation report. Considering April to June of 2020, the amount of day hikes logged in the US was up 8.4 percent from the same time period in 2019. Overall, the Outdoor Foundation noted more than a 52 percent increase in outdoor participation in 2020.

Helpful Tips for Managing Bear Encounters and Attacks While Hiking

Currently residing in Rochester, New York, Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia previously served as an account executive at Quick Base, where he was responsible for software sales for the company. Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is presently working on completing an MBA in finance at the University of Rochester in order to pursue a career in finance. Away from work, Mr. Vessecchia enjoys hiking.

One of the potential dangers of hiking is encountering a bear in the wild. Knowing how to behave if you encounter a bear can help to prevent injuries and possibly even save your life.

Firstly, it is important to speak in a calm voice and avoid running away, since this can provoke a bear to chase you. How the bear behaves will determine your response. If the bear is not moving towards you or moves away from you, back away slowly but don’t turn your back to him until you are certain you are safe. If the bear is advancing towards you, he may either be bluff charging you or planning to attack you. In this case, you should stand your ground and wave your arms above your head while continuing to speak in a steady voice.

If a bear is displaying aggressive behavior such as pointing his head and ears downwards, snapping his teeth, or opening his mouth wide, an attack may be imminent. In this case, bear spray may be an effective deterrent. However, if the bear continues to attack, your subsequent actions depend on whether the animal is a black bear or a grizzly bear. The best way to ward off an attack from a black bear is to fight back by hitting the animal in the face until it relents. However, if a grizzly bear is attacking you, it is better to play dead by falling onto your front side and protecting your face and head with your arms to show that you are not a threat.

Exploring the Finger Lakes Area of Upstate New York

Joseph “Joe” Vessecchia is an MBA student at the University of Rochester who aims to build a career in the financial services sector. An outdoors enthusiast, Joseph Vessecchia enjoys hiking in the local area in his free time. A popular destination south of Rochester, New York is the Finger Lakes, which offer a scenic combination of forests, waterfalls, trails, and old railway lines.

One highlight is Taughannock Falls, which are situated in a gorge amidst rock cliffs that rise 400 feet. The waterfalls drop 250 feet and can be viewed from both gorge and rim trails. With campsites and a marina located nearby on Cayuga Lake, the area also offers a wide rage of winter activities, including cross-country skiing and sledding on slopes. In addition, natural ponds freeze over and are ideal for ice skating.

Another popular destination is Watkins Glen State Park, which features a two-mile stretch in which a stream drops 400 feet through a gorge surrounded by cliffs. Along this course, accessible by gorge or rim path, are 19 fast-running waterfalls. The location next to Seneca Lake is also known for its exceptional fishing, with Catherine Creek featuring a rainbow trout run each spring.

Essentials for Hiking

Change is one constant in today’s professional world, a notion Joseph Vessecchia has embraced as he moves from an executive career in software sales to finance. He is currently studying for an MBA in finance at the University of Rochester, New York. When in the mood to relax, Joseph Vessecchia takes to hiking.

Hiking can be a great way to explore nature. But to make it effective, the right essentials must be present during the hike, especially if you’re outside the urban areas to ensure readiness for any situation on the ground like emergencies or inclement weather.

A backpack is the primary hiking tool; it’s for carrying the other items. Navigation devices like a compass, personal location beacon, or GPS device with a map are essential for hiking. They enable adequate knowledge of the location and may be useful for guidance and communication. Make sure to take along extra batteries or a power bank if they are apps on your mobile phone.

Take along protection against the weather. Wear appropriate clothing and carry extra clothing to guard against inclement weather. Use the right footwear or hiking boot suitable for the surface you will be hiking on. Ensure you have enough food and water beyond your immediate needs and tools like a multi-use Swiss knife, portable illumination, fire lighter, and tape. Have first aid supplies at hand in case of injuries or illness.